Customers pay the number they believe they agreed to. On South African quotes, VAT confusion is one of the main reasons that number changes between “yes” in WhatsApp and payment day.
This guide covers how to present VAT on quotes for small sellers. It is part of running an SA business from your phone. It is not SARS tax advice.
Direct answer
On every quote, state clearly whether amounts are VAT inclusive, VAT exclusive, or no VAT (for example if you are not a vendor). Put the payable total in ZAR where the eye lands first.
Inclusive vs exclusive (practical)
| Approach | Customer sees | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Inclusive total | One payable number | Most WhatsApp-first jobs |
| Exclusive + VAT line | Net + VAT + gross | B2B buyers who expect a split |
| No VAT | Price with note you are not charging VAT | Non-vendors — do not invent VAT |
Wrong: sending “R10,000” exclusive in chat, then invoicing R11,500 later without having said VAT applied.
What belongs on the quote
Follow the structure in how to write a professional quote, and add:
- Explicit VAT treatment near the total
- If exclusive: VAT amount and gross total
- Validity date (supplier VAT-inclusive costs move)
When you bill, switch to invoice language — quote vs invoice.
Phone-friendly habit
Capture prices in your catalog the way you sell them (usually what the customer pays). Let the quote tool apply VAT consistently instead of recalculating in a chat thread after hours.
Vlyt quotes can carry VAT in ZAR so the number you send is the number they pay — still not a full set of SARS books, but enough clarity for day-to-day quoting.